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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3243910" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-twenty, “Jake’s Quandary“, Saturday June 10th, 1882, 8:30 P.M. Jake's game continues for another half-hour with Alfredo dropping out and Forest Morand starting to lose. Henry Weller loses around $ 100 and then drops out as well. Eddie Palmer finally gets a hot hand and begins to bet heavily, raising the pot to $ 20. Helen folds as does Forest Morand, leaving just Palmer, Jake and Ned Walters. Jake is holding a pair of Jacks, a pair of fours and an eight with one more draw remaining for each player. Palmer then comments, "Oh, Mr. Cook, I forgot to mention it earlier but you received some mail on this evening's stagecoach." Holding his cards in one hand he reaches into his jacket pocket with the other and removes a letter. He places it on the table.   It is addressed to Mr. Jacob Cook, Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon, Promise City, Arizona Territory. The handwritten is unmistakably that of Ruby West's and the postmark is New York City.You bastard, Jake thinks, You were waiting for this hand to do this. "I can count on you Eddie Palmer to make certain the mail gets through safe and sound."  Jake matches his bet and draws a card, never having see the postmaster bluff before. He attempts to not stare at the letter.   Eddie Palmer takes only one card as well. Ned Walters draws three. Jake's final card is an ace of diamonds. Palmer raises $ 30 and Walters calls the bet.   Jake folds, takes the letter and puts it safely in the pocket of his black linen trousers.  Palmer plays his cards, revealing a flush. Walters only has a pair of sixes. Palmer takes the winnings and declares that he is calling it a night.Jake wishes him a good evening and calls for a break. "Refresh your drinks and yourselves, we will start up in a few minutes."  Jake takes his own advice and resists opening the letter, planning on reading it later.   Jeff Mills pours Jake a glass of Kentucky Bourbon. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Cornelius Van Horne enter the Lucky Lady. The large man approaches the bar and says, "Mr. Mills, as long as you have that bottle out I wouldn't mind a glass myself.""Looks like I got mine just in time," Jake snipes, "How fare you tonight, Mr. Van Horne?"   Van Horne replies, "Not many opportunities to relax in my room over at the Palace what with their political rally going on. I considered trying my luck at the Comique but they are having one there as well. Maybe I'll head over to the Gay Lady, they usually have a good game going and the Saturday night entertainment was previously top notch.   But first I thought I would come by to let you know that in today's mail and telegrams I have received multiple acceptances to the Tournament. It is safe to say that we will have the minimum number of players that we need for it to be profitable.""Good news, sir. You are a shrewd planner, I will grant you that. The Gay Lady is a good choice, but the entertainment may be lacking right now. Their main attraction has moved on." Jake shrugs and says in a lower voice, "I have no objection to you relieving Burton Lumley of some of his available cash."They maintain small talk for a few more minutes until Jeff Mills walks away. Van Horne then lowers his voice and says, "One of the invitations to the tournament may be problematic to you. Samuel Clemens not only declined my invitation but passed it on to a friend of his, Edward Julius Berwind. Berwind indicated that he will be arriving. He is an up-and-coming businessman from Philadelphia with investments in coal mining and my sources indicate that the firm of Cooke and Sons do his accounting work.""I could always lie and say that I am not related. My father would likely prefer that anyway. Unless there is a bounty on me and he is a bounty hunter I am not really concerned. I have sent a letter home with my address here. So Cooke senior knows where I am. Oh, and Virginia now lives in San Francisco, I received a letter from her. I can add Uncle Jake to my list of titles. That and..." Jake removes the letter from his pocket, holds it where the big Georgian can see the address and puts it away. "I have not opened it yet."Van Horne says, "Well then, I will leave you with that. It is best that we not spend too much time together, Evan thinks that we barely tolerate each other's presence so we'd best try to keep it that way."  "Well then sir, I will leave you to it," Jake says loud enough to be heard, "give my best to that fine gentlemen Adair as well."Van Horne makes his way out of the bar.   Jake restarts his poker game, letting the room know there are some open chairs.   Al Brower and Pierre Jaquet arrive and join the game. Al apologizes for being late but says that the new dwarven Mayoral candidate was holding his rally and the Comique so they were obligated to stay until it started to break up.  Jake replies, "Not to worry gentlemen, Eddie Palmer warmed everyone up." With that they settle in to play.Chester and Clarisse dance for a while, The music is unfamiliar, yet enjoyable. Chester reluctantly breaks a dance short when he remembers that he has duty in the office that night. "Sorry, dear. I have to work tonight. I'll try to see you tomorrow, but there's something I have to do during the day. Hopefully, I'll be back in the evening." She relies, "I hope so too. When you're Marshall, you can make your deputies do that stuff. That way you can stay here with me. I think I'd better turn in." They say their goodbyes to Eduardo and Dorita. Chester wishes Estaban good luck in the election. After walking Clarisse home, Chester drops by the office.  Neil Cassidy is happy enough to be relieved of duty. He says that he's been sticking close to the office, that he's had one of his workers named Jerome Bolger checking out the Freedom and Liberty Party rallies and bringing him reports every half-hour and will continue to until they end.   Chet settles in for what will hopefully be a quiet night. Tony Lucky’s game goes; for an hour, with Minerva actually coming out around $ 12 ahead of where she started and Frank Lucky loosing around $ 50 in total to the other players except for his cousin. Tony is having a bad night and suggests that they go check out the free beverages at the Liberty Party Headquarters and then over to the Palace for more of the same. His players agree and they all head out, leaving Minerva behind.A feline smile spreads across Minerva’s face as she pockets her winnings. "That was most satisfying" she says to herself as she watches the not so lucky cousins leave the saloon. She makes her way over to the bar and orders a glass of whiskey to celebrate. Jeff Mills pours her a drink and they chat for a while. Minerva is still sitting there when Conrad comes to get Kate and when Jake's game breaks up. The Barkers begin dancing as most of Jake's table depart.   Another hour passes at the Lucky Lady. Tony's game breaks up early and the dealer, his cousin and all three final players head out together to go check out the other rallies in town. Conrad arrives shortly thereafter to collect Kate and the two of them head off to the El Parador.  As they walked arm in arm toward the El Parador Kate said, "You were in the Palace for quite some time. Anything of interest going on there?"Conrad replies, "Lots and I wanted to see the organizational dynamics of the participants. The candidates are essentially using tonight to practice their speeches for the debate, all of which focus on the single topic of the Law and Order Party's platform and why it is wrong. Lumley is quite a motivational speaker once he sets his mind to it, he had them all riled up. Heck, at one point somebody yelled out in response 'Let's go burn down Watkin's Boarding House' and they probably would have if Lumley hadn't talked then talked them out of it. What I found curious is that a number of folks who had signed the Freedom Party's petitions weren't there and I was told they were over at the Liberty Party's rally, just as a number of Liberty supporters were at the Freedom rally. Of course, they were all probably doing both for the free booze, but I find the large amount of overlap potentially disturbing, those parties may not be nearly as divided as Adair and Fisk have voiced.""You think the split might be a ploy to lull others into a sense of security? Then, shortly before the election the combine again and they hope take more votes than they would have.  Thankfully the Unity and Integrity parties are working on combining, leaving the Law and Order party out in the cold, wouldn't you say?"    Conrad replies, "That would be my guess. The day of the split there had been enough rumors floating around town that the Cattleman's support of the Law and Order factious was tenuous at best and that they were only staying together for numbers against the Liberty Party. So the split may have been a ploy to help fuel a divide with your group, in which case it worked perfectly. Fisk and Adair are a lot of things, but stupid isn't one of them.""You weren't at that meeting when we split from the Law and Order party. Fisk and Adair didn't have anything to do with it, it was that ad the party placed. They didn't consult with Mr. Shaw or Mr. Escobar, and they were livid. And the platform they put forth was insupportable. If I remember correctly, the only suggestion of ours they implemented was not trying to close all the saloons down completely. I'll have to have a talk with Emery Shaw tomorrow. Whether or not it was the actual cause, you're right about the strategy and the level of intelligence we're dealing with. They're going to have time to see which of their candidates are getting the most support and field the most effective party they can."They reached the El Parador and Kate led the way inside the brightly lit and festive Cantina. She took a deep breath and sighed, letting go of tension she didn't even know she was holding. "We should talk to the candidate," she smiled.  Conrad replies, "No rush, he's not going anywhere, and I think he most wants us to just enjoy ourselves."Does he? Well, we certainly shouldn't disappoint him," Kate smiled and took Conrad's hand to lead him over where the floor was cleared for dancing. "But we do have a tendency to get a bit... distracted, when we dance. Let's not forget to stop and talk to him altogether. And I haven't had a chance to visit with Dorita enough lately either."  Conrad and Kate spend the next twenty minutes making the rounds through the building and greeting everybody. They then get a bite to eat from the Mexican buffet table that has been set out on the bar. Estaban reassembles the band and some lively music soon follows.Kate got to spend several minutes chatting with Dorita by making her think she would continue to eat as long as they continued to talk. Ginnie slipped in after bussing tables at the Lucky Lady and headed straight for the pile of cookies at the end of the buffet. Once Kate knew her girl was safely here she relaxed even more, enjoying the feel of Conrad's hand soft against her back as he guided her through the crowd to spend most of the night dancing.   Conrad monopolizes Kate's time and it is close to midnight when the two of them finally tire out. At that point the party isn't even close to stopping but the two decide to call it a night. He walks Kate back to the door of her house.After Kate unlocked the door Ginnie skipped ahead inside and a moment later Kate heard a bit of muttering just before a soft bluish light permeated the room. It faded as the young girl went upstairs, leaving the adults alone on the doorstep. It was always a bittersweet moment. Finally alone, Katherine luxuriated in the long-awaited kiss and being folded in Conrad's arms; but like all moments it had to pass. There were loving words exchanged in soft whispers before a final kiss, and then Kate went inside knowing Conrad would not leave until he knew she was safe inside. Behind the closed door, Katherine sighed, knowing it was only her choice that left her alone in her bed. The two girls living above the school then spent a quiet night, sleeping in a bit after the party at the El Parador. By eleven PM the only patrons of the Lucky Lady at Jake's game, where the play proves to be uninspiring and it too breaks early, at around a quarter-to-ten.  At that Point Harry Rote sits down at the keyboards to play for the Barkers who begin a long dance out on the dance floor. Darla Peacock and Michael George had been sitting towards the back, her having just run a couple of games of Faro earlier before her customers also headed out for free drinks elsewhere. The couple also head out to the dance floor to dance. A while later Jerome shows up at the Marshall’s Office with his next report, stating that the Palace crowd are well on their way to all being drunk while Fisk's group is more sober but that is largely due to him being stingy on paying for beverages. He reports that all candidates from both parties are still at the rallies meeting the people. Back at the Lucky Lady, Al, Pierre and Forrest all say they goodnights to Jake and head out. Ned Walters heads over to the bar to get a drink and chat with Jeff Mills, leaving Jake alone at the table.   He takes out the letter from his pocket and lays it on the table in front of him. After staring at it for some unknown number of minutes he mutters, "The gods hate a coward," and opens it.After staring at it for some unknown number of minutes he mutters, "The gods hate a coward," and opens it.</blockquote>The letter reads:Dear Jake, I hope this letter finds you doing well. How I miss you! I mean, really miss you. I was so mad when I found out I would not be able to be back for my birthday. My only real wish was to spend the day with you but Jane and Red had other plans. I suppose I could say it turned out for the best. Jake, I got to see my grandmother! It is a long story that I will tell you all about when I get home. She found out about me through rumors from George and that beat up package I got before I left was a dress of hers. A really beautiful one too. Anyway, I know, the rumors aren’t a good thing, but it led her to me so it can’t be all bad. Jane convinced me to take a trip and find her. And I am so glad I did. She is living in New York City and doing very well. She doesn’t see my parents but she also doesn’t hide from them. I wish I could be so brave. I dread what would happen if they knew I was here. But I have to admit, since meeting you and being with you, that dread is lessened and I think one day, with you by my side, I will see them again and set them straight. See what you do to me Mr. Cook! Anyway, she is an amazing woman. She is smart and strong and confident and has traveled the world and she’s happy with who she is and what she’s done. She said she tried to get to me many times but my parents forbade it. Even in our short time together she has given me more wisdom and confidence than I’ve had in a long time. And looking at her is like looking at me, it’s weird, like looking in a mirror! And she has a husband, James. I probably should not mention he’s handsome and charismatic but I will because he reminds me so much of you. Which of course makes me miss you even more. But together they remind me of how you and I will be one day. And it makes me really really happy to think about it. The only way those days with her could have been more perfect was if you were with me. But she has promised to come to Promise City at some point and then you can meet her yourself. Now we are shopping, Red’s way of making up for making me miss my birthday with you. I can’t deny I’m having a fantastic time spending his money.  We can talk more about the serious stuff when I get back, there is much to say. For now just know how much I miss you and love you. No matter what happens, you will always be the man I love with all my heart, the only man I ever loved and the only man I ever will love. My knight in shining armor, sent to me to make my fairy tale come true. And I will be your princess forever. Always Yours, XOXO Ruby XOXO The bad news he feared being absent of the letter, he relaxed. After returning the letter to his pocket Jake helps himself to one more drink and sat down to enjoy it quietly. One of Jake's players, a prospector by the name of Ned Walters joins Minerva at the bar and orders a drink from Jeff as Darla Peacock and Michael George also head out to dance to Harry Rote's music. "Are you having a pleasant evening Senor Walters?" Minerva inquires while sipping her drink and watching the dancers.  Walters smiles and says, "I am indeed, lost over $ 100 but I never plan on winning and it was a fun game. So Miss. Minerva, would you care to dance?"   Minerva gives him a wide smile and a low curtsey. "Always." she laughs and taking his arm allows him to lead her onto the dance floor.Minerva's laughter can be heard as Walters leads her around the floor in a lively dance. When the music stops he escorts her back to her glass at the bar and with a low bow wishes her good evening before departing for home.  She sips her drink and eye's Jake at a distant table. He appears relaxed, leaning back in the chair, his feet crossed at the ankles, he holds a letter in his hand. There is a whisper of a smile on his lips as he scans the page. She strolls over and plops herself down in the seat opposite him. "My you certainly look pleased."He surveys the young priestess as she drops her self into the seat opposite him. Sure of herself and full of life, her raven dark tresses flow around and frame her face perfectly, while her red lips tease and her eyes probe. "Amidst all this chaos and darkness in Promise City at least one thing is right. Ruby is well and finding her way back here."    Her eyes sparkle at the news and she leaps up and hugs him. "That is wonderful! I am so pleased for you! It must be such a relief to know that she is well and on her way back to you." she looks down into her empty glass. "We should have a toast, to celebrate her return."Jake chuckles, "A better reason than most." He goes back to the bar and returns with a half bottle of bourbon. He pours her a generous amount and then himself. "To her safe return."   Minerva raises her glass "to her safe return." she toasts and tosses back the fiery liquid. "Ah, that was most satisfying." she grins, feeling a little tipsy.  "Now that we are alone, tell me what you know about Lucky Frank. I already have ascertained that he is Tony's cousin and that he is a most proficient liar, but I do not know much more than that.""It is true that he is Tony's cousin." He refills her glass. "It is quite a skill to become a proficient liar. If you tell the truth, you do not have to remember anything. That is why I need such a good memory." Jake grins.  "What I am going to share with you is confidential. Please respect that, especially since the secret is not mine but someone else. These secrets also keep people alive." He raises his glass to her, "To conspirators." "First off, Cornelius Van Horne is actually a friend of mine. We pretend to tolerate each other for safety's sake. Do not ask me more than that regarding him. Lucky Frank, as you called him works for Mr. Van Horne. His real name is Francesco Fracanzani. Francesco's job with Mr. Van Horne is security. He is here to provide security for the poker tournament. I must assume since Francesco and I are acquainted and he did not greet me that he wishes to remain, as the Italians might say, incognito. Francesco's opinion of his cousin is not very high, but keeps an wary eye on him because he is family. I have no reason to think Franceso is here for any other purpose." Jake watches Minerva as she takes in those facts. Quite an attractive woman, he muses, with those compelling eyes, noble check bones, sensual lips and the figure beneath that curve hugging dress appears quite statuesque. He is keenly aware of her current state of mild intoxication and old behaviors tug at his mind and other places. No, I have given my word to Ruby and Minerva is in love with my friend Nanuet. Were it not for that, this one would be interesting. That and her claws are very sharp.Minerva raises her glass once more "to Conspirators" she grins, and once again drains the glass. "She pulls a delicate piece of lace from her sleeve and dabs at her mouth "I am a priestess, Senor Jake." she says proudly, trying to keep a straight face while attempting to sit tall, "I may not respect what you tell me, but I will keep it a secret." she leans toward him and whispers "I am very good at keeping secrets you know."   “One of my parishioners seems to think that Senor Francanzini is here to kill him. How well does Senor Van Horne know this man? For that matter, How well do you know this Senor Van Horne? Could you ask him what he thinks of the matter?""I am only acquainted with Francesco Fracanzani. The only trust I put in him is that Mr. Van Horne trusts him. I trust Van Horne with my life." Jake attempts not to laugh at the exaggerated motions his Spanish companion is using in an attempt to be subtly convincing. Though he does enjoy the show. "When I told you earlier today I would see what could be done, my intent was to speak with Van Horne about it. As I just said I must keep up pretenses, so I will consult him as soon as feasible." Jake finishes his glass with a satisfied but silent 'ah', and pours himself some more bourbon.  "Would you care for another, Senorita? Perhaps you have had enough and should not exceed your limits?"She raises her eyebrow at his comment and says quite seriously. "This Senor Van Horne must be a very special man. There are few that you would trust with your life. I envy you Senor Jake." she sighs, a bit of her melancholy shining through. She pushes her glass toward him and thinks . I thought that I had found the one whom I could trust with my life, but once again I find myself alone.Jake pours her another double shot of bourbon. "In some ways I am a lucky man, I will not deny it. I have never really considered whether I should be envied or not." Jake shrugs. "We make our own luck in many ways. Your time will come, Senorita. Do not relinquish the moments that have made it all worth while along the way." Jake holds up the glass, turning it this way and that before inhaling its aroma. He then takes a sip. "Do not miss out on the small jewels that come your way. There is much to enjoy that is missed if you smother them in your troubles and worries.""Once again, you surprise me with your sound advice. I have always made my own luck and my own way. and as for worries, I never really cared enough about anyone to worry about them, until I came to this town that is. You are right I should appreciate what I have. For now I will appreciate you and this fine bourbon that you have so generously shared with me." she raises her glass. "To you, Jake. You are a rare jewel and I shall treasure your friendship always."  She drains her glass and clumsily stands to leave. Without thinking about where she is going, she finds her way to Nanuet’s grove, wraps her cloak about her and falls asleep.Jake accepts the toast silently but with a friendly smile. He stands when she does, but she staggers out of the saloon without saying good night. He follows her to the doorway and is puzzled when she does not turn for home. He silently follows her to her destination. "You are a lucky man," he mutters to himself. He contemplates rousing her, and taking her to her home where she will be safer than our here in the open. He reasons that the night is warm and she has her cloak. He remembers the night that she stood by him when he searched the streets of Promise City looking for Ruby. He also remembers, though vaguely so, his finding his own drunken sanctuary at their special place when he thought Ruby was leaving. Jake sighs and walks quickly back towards the saloon. He retrieves the nearly empty bottle of bourbon and a blanket. Returning to the edge of the grove he slowly sips his bourbon, enjoying the warm summer night and the stars above. He watches over Minerva, certain that she would do the same for him. "Besides," He says quietly to himself, "it is not Silver Jake Cook that must rise early for Sunday services."Hours go by with Jake sitting on the blanket, his back to a slim tree.  While he stares at Senorita Florencia's sleeping form during the dark Arizona night, Jake has plenty of time to think.  He imagined his wedding ceremony.  He imagined himself married.  Both images made him uncomfortable.  He remembered Fifi Lafarge mocking him.  He imagined Mattie mocking him.  He remembered the words that Rachel used, "You are not fit to be married to any woman."  What did she know.  What did she know?  He remembered Emily and her short brown hair.  He imagined what she would say.  He remembered Clara Beth and her dimpled checks.  He imagined what she would say.  He recalled Florence, Miriam, Yvette and Brandy; each time imagining what they would say.  He relived the visit with Katherine in his house and the discomfort he felt.  Was it just still new and strange to have his own home or was there something more.  Home reminds him of marriage, family and a steady job.  He grimaces in spite of himself.I came very close to seducing the priestess.  Did I stop because I like her?  NO, when did I seduce women I did not like?  Did I stop because my friend Nanuet is in love with her?  Maybe, but he may not be coming back.  If he is in love with her why did he leave?  No this is not about Minerva or Nanuet. Did I stop because I promised Ruby to be true?  Yes of course that is why I stopped.  So that is the truth of it, I stopped not because I did not want to seduce the priestess but because I gave my word to Ruby.  I am a fool.  I love Ruby, do I not?  She makes me happy.  No, unlike many of the wayward that find themselves in Promise City, Jake Cook was happy when he arrived.  I did not come here seeking redemption or happiness or to run away from grief.  I came here like I came to dozens of other towns.  I came to steal a living for a time, seduce the women that I could, live large, and then flee to another town when I was discovered.  Yet she thrills me like no other.  Yes that is it, those things that make up Ruby call to me like a siren song.  I am helpless in her power.  She also frustrates me like no other, causes me to abandon my senses and behave in erratic ways like no other, and induces me to gleefully bind myself in ways I never thought possible.  Yet I am unwilling to make the final binding.  Listen to me, I say Ruby does this and Ruby does that.  It is not Ruby West that is the problem, this is really about Jake.  I was terrified to open the letter from Ruby, afraid that it said she was not coming back.  Or was I?  Was part of me hoping that she would finally come to her senses and be rid of Silver Jake Cook.  Yes, I must admit it, part of me wants her to do the inevitable and admit this will not last and put an end to it.  Why?  It is because I do not want to be the one that breaks my promise and breaks her heart.  Yet I know I will.  There are days when I am strong, but there are also days when I am weak.  No, I can be strong.  Will I be strong every day?  If I can be so strong why do I sit here and wonder about seducing the priestess?  No, I did not come here to seduce her.  I came her to protect a friend.  That is true, that is why I came.  If things had been different and the priestess not rushed from the saloon would I have seduced her?  If Fifi had snuck in late after everyone was gone, what then?  If I encountered Mattie while on a trip away from home, would I deny her?  What about that slightly plump young woman I bought the perfume from in Tucson, did I not stare over long at her generous figure even while buying presents for Ruby?  There was the maid in the hotel in Thomaswell, even amidst the confusion and fear of vampires I found time to flirt with her, to wonder if there was an open room or linen closet nearby.  I am still a scoundrel and saloon rat at heart.  She tells me of her undying love, that her every thought is about me and all I can do is fret.  Her grandmother is married to a man that reminds her of me.  Married!  We can talk more about serious stuff when she gets back.  Serious stuff?  It make me want to head for Mexico and disappear for a time.  Ruby West deserves better than that, she deserves better than Jake Cooke.Did I lie to her?  No, I believed it when I said it.  Are ties that bind, ties that strangle and suffocate?  No, I will suffocate without Ruby.  No, she has been gone for quite some time now, I have not suffocated.  I am a fool if I think I will ever find another like Ruby West.  Yet, what have I wrought?  I could have married her, I could present her with her childhood ring and I have done neither. Why?  Bereft of an answer he passes the night letting his mind continue to wander, and curses himself for only bringing a nearly empty bottle of bourbon.[/QUOTE]

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